Kost or all the others. I would live with those choices, repent in my own way. But my reason for selling beasts? It wasn’t good enough, and I knew: When all of this was over, I’d never sell another beast. I’d go back to Midnight Jester and ask Dez for a job. Something. Anything other than what I’d become.
The darkness shifted, lightened. My memories stopped. Slowly, the surrounding jungle came back into view, and the weight of the Myad on my body lessened.
I’m so sorry. I bit down hard on the leather belt to keep my sob at bay. He retracted his fangs and growled, the sharp exhale blowing heavily in my ears. On my life, I’ll never stand idly by again. He roared above me and I jolted in place, pain spiking. I will protect you. I will protect all beasts, if I am able. He dropped his forehead to mine. As I spit the belt from my mouth, adrenaline left me in a cool rush, and I began to cry.
He’d absolved me of my transgressions. Clean. I was clean. And worthy of being his.
Mine. The Myad purred, nuzzling my rib cage. He was mine. Slowly, I cupped the side of his face with my right hand. The rosewood emblem exploded. Tree roots dove toward my fingers, and branches reached across my collarbone and neck.
Losing my fingers in his fur, I choked back a happy cry. I had done this. Not anyone else. Not another Charmer. Me. I had a beast worthy of a member on the Charmers Council.
My gaze drifted to Noc. He stared at my wounded shoulder with horror, eyes flickering from the Myad to my face and back again. Shadows weakened by Grundy’s power tried in vain to reach me. They dissipated and reformed, inching across the jungle floor, never quite reaching their mark.
Emotion strangled his voice. “Lee…na.”
My stomach fluttered. “It’s okay.” With a nod toward my beast, I called off Grundy. He whined in answer, a coarse groan like two stones scraping together. His power gave out, and Noc launched toward us, slicing his hand open and summoning blood blades in an instant.
He poised them at my precious beast. “Get off her.”
The Myad growled, protectively hovering over me. The barest hint of his weight made my body protest, and I winced. Scooting out from under him, I cradled my left arm to my chest. “Noc, it’s all right. I’m all right.”
His jaw ticked. “You almost died.” Calem, Kost, and Oz slowly picked themselves up, brushing dirt off their clothes as they walked toward us.
“No, I didn’t.” I leaned into the side of my beast, ignoring the sharp stab of pain. “But if I don’t get some of those bandages we packed, we might have a different story.”
“You’re impossible!” The blood blades quivered before exploding in a sudden burst of rain. “Do you have any idea what that was like?”
I cringed more from his words than the pain in my shoulder. “Noc, calm down. Really, I’m fine.”
“Well, thank the fucking gods for that.” Without another word he stormed off into the jungle. Shadows curled around him, licking his rigid frame and pulling him away into darkness.
My heart ached at the sight. I didn’t know what to make of this. Why had he reacted so strongly? “I’m sorry. I didn’t think he would stay put if I asked.”
“You’re probably right.” Kost braided his gloved fingers together. Hands tense, it was as if he did it to stop himself from throttling me. “Doesn’t mean it was the right thing to do.”
“I’ll go after him.” Calem followed Noc into the dark.
“You go, too.” Kost tilted his head toward Oz. “Calem could accidentally set Noc off with one wrong remark, and that’s the last thing we want right now.” He brought his rigid stare back to me. “We’ll meet up with you shortly.”
Oz teetered in place, worry lancing his expression. “All right, but hurry.” Dark tendrils consumed him, and he disappeared.
Kost knelt beside me, and my beast let out a low warning growl. Unmoved, Kost lifted one brow. “I’m not interested in hurting her.” The Myad huffed before shaking out his feathered mane.
“He’s protective. It will take time,” I said. Looking past Kost, I spied the abandoned bag on the edge of the jungle. “Bandages?”
“Felicks will seal it, but the puncture wound is deep. We should clean it first.” He stood and retreated to the bag to riffle through its contents. After securing a clear glass bottle and a cloth,